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The big moving week has arrived, and MBEXers, there are things you need to know! Biggest and most important is the server move taking place this Thursday, August 28 (you'll see several mentions of this throughout the issue). Hopefully you've seen the alerts and updates posted on our website and within the Online Plan Room. On Thursday afternoon, we will be moving our server from the old office location at Glenwood Avenue to the new at Bell Plaza, meaning our plan room services will be turned off temporarily. Scroll down and read the full Member Update (look for the red background) for all the details.
Wish us luck, and we greatly appreciate your patience during this transition 🤞 🍀 😍
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Five Quick Things To Know & Do This Week:
1.) Labor Day - MBEX will be closed on Monday, September 1 in observance of the Labor Day holiday. We will return to regular business hours on Tuesday, September 2. Reminder: staff will be working remotely for a short time due to our office move, beginning also on September 2.
2.) Register - Registration is officially open for the annual MBEX Fall Social, taking place on Thursday, October 9 at the Oak Ridge Country Club in Hopkins, Minn. This year's Fall Social is all about connection, so come meet and network with fellow members and industry pros, share insights, and build those relationships while enjoying delicious bites and drinks.
3.) Data Centers - A slew of data center projects made headlines in recent weeks, including a $1-billion data center campus in Port Washington, Wisconsin; a $3-billion data center in Harwood, North Dakota; and a $10-billion data center campus in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
4.) Now Hiring - How many jobs does the U.S. economy really need to maintain the current unemployment rate?
5.) Yes, We Still Got It - This one's for my fellow millennial MBEXers 😘 🎶
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Inside This Issue:
• Fore!: Recapping last week's Golf North event in Duluth
• Register: Join us again in Duluth for Sporting Clays North on September 10
• Server Move: Important details about MBEX's office move and August 28 planned service interruption
• Prices: Overall nonresidential construction prices rose again in July
• Events: Closed for Labor Day, Q3 Construction Economic Update & Forecast, MBEX Fall Social, and more this fall
• Five Headlines: How the most recent trade truce with China will effect the U.S. construction industry; Navigating projects through the America First Trade Policy; Patented utilities tech replaces open-cut excavation for pulling cables with 80% less digging; Construction's digital gap could derail the global infrastructure market; and DOT revives the $5-billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure formula program
• Project of the Week: $70M Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame facility announced
• Industry Event: 2025 Supplier Diversity Expo - Build Your Grit: Fueling Small Business Resilience - October 7 - St. Paul RiverCentre
• Member Benefit: Take control at the pump with Kwik Trip
| | EVENT RECAP: Golf North is a Hole-in-One | | |
On August 20, MBEX members and friends teed off at Ridgeview Country Club in Duluth for our annual Golf North event.
While Mother Nature started out a touch cranky, she ultimately turned up and didn’t disappoint. Sunshine, fresh North Shore air, and unbeatable views made the perfect backdrop for a full day of golf, community, and of course, a little friendly competition.
The event brought together a great mix of teams, from seasoned golfers to those just along for the fun, proving once again that MBEX events are as much about connecting with fellow members as they are about keeping score. Between the laughs, the swings, and the networking, the day was a hole-in-one.
A huge thank-you goes out to our players, event sponsors, and volunteers who helped make this event a success. Your support keeps our member events thriving and our community strong.
TOP TEAM
• Maverick Cutting & Breaking
PAR THREE CONTEST WINNERS
Holes No. 5, 12 & 17
• Greg Gargano, Max Gray Construction (winner at two of the three contests)
• Jason DuVal, Tenet
50/50 CASH RAFFLE: $320
• Steve Smith, JAMAR Co.
SUPER GOLFER RAFFLE
$700 pro shop credit + round of golf for 4 with golf cart at Ridgeview Country Club
• Steve Smith, JAMAR Co.
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Let's give a one more big thank-you to our Golf North sponsors:
| | Premier Cornerstone Partner | | Bronze Cornerstone Partner | | Par Three Contest & Snack Station Sponsors | | |
Water Bottle Sponsor
Hole No. 8
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$10,000 Hole-In-One Sponsor
Hole No. 10
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Door Prize Sponsors
Adolfson & Peterson Construction, A W Kuettel & Sons, The Builders Group (TBG), JAMAR Co., Kraus-Anderson Construction, Maverick Cutting & Breaking, Northern Industrial Insulation, Northland Consulting Engineers, Scaffold Service, Sorlie Acoustics, Swanson & Youngdale & White Cap
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Check out more photos from Golf North, and see what's coming up next at mbex.org.
| | Ready, Aim, Network: Sporting Clays North is Back | | |
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, September 10 and join MBEX for Sporting Clays North at Old Vermilion Trail Hunting Preserve in Duluth.
Swap the office for the outdoors, sharpen your aim, and enjoy a day of friendly competition with fellow members. Whether you’re an experienced shooter or brand-new to the sport, this event is designed for everyone.
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THE DETAILS
Date: Tuesday, September 10
Location: Old Vermilion Trail Hunting Preserve (6980 Old Vermillion Trail, Duluth, Minn., 55803)
Schedule:
• 2:00pm – Registration & Lunch
• 2:45pm – Mandatory Safety Talk (all shooters)
• 3:00pm – Shotgun Start (2 courses, 20 stations)
• 4:30pm – Flurry & Social Hour
• 5:30pm – Dinner (BBQ Buffet)
• 6:00pm – Awards & Prizes
Cost: $100 per shooter (maximum of 5 shooters per team)
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Come join us for:
🥏 Great Food, Great People
Lunch, camaraderie, and a post-shoot gathering make the day just as much about connecting as it is about clays.
🙌 Break From Routine
Get away from the office and job site calls to take in Old Vermillion Trail, the crisp fall air and the Northland's beauty.
🛠️ Team Building, Done Differently
Bring your crew, invite clients, or team up with new faces to strengthen relationships in an unconventional way.
Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Sponsoring is a great way to show your support while getting your company in front of MBEX members.
Please contact Don O'Connor with any questions: don@mbex.org | (218) 722-2836
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MEMBER UPDATE
Important Details About MBEX's Office Move & August 28 Service Disruption
| | As you know, MBEX is preparing to move into our new office at Bell Plaza in Bloomington at the end of this week. While we're excited for this fresh chapter, we want to make sure our members are fully informed about a key part of the transition: a planned temporary service disruption on Thursday, August 28. | | |
TEMPORARY SERVICE SUSPENSION - THURSDAY, AUGUST 28
At 2:00pm this Thursday, our Online Plan Room services will be taken offline as our servers are moved from our Glenwood Avenue office to our new location. We anticipate this outage will last several hours, with services returning later that same evening between 7:00pm-8:00pm.
Because technology moves can sometimes be unpredictable, we encourage members to plan ahead in case the outage lasts longer than expected.
HOW MEMBERS CAN PREPARE
To minimize disruption to your work, we recommend the following steps:
1.) Download Project Documents Early
If you know you'll need access to specific plans, specs, or addenda on August 28 or 29, make sure to save them to your own devices before 2:00pm on Thursday.
2.) Adjust Your Bidding Schedule
If you're preoaring bids or estimates around this time, build in extra buffer time so you're not caught waiting for the system to come back online.
3.) Stay Tuned For Updates
Watch for communications from MBEX via mbex.org and pop-up messages inside the Online Plan Room. We'll share status updates as soon as we have them.
LOOKING AHEAD*
• Friday, August 29 - Final move-out of Glenwood Avenue office
• Tuesday, September 2 - Friday, September 19 - MBEX staff works remotely while our new space is completed.
• Monday, September 22 - Staff officially moves into our new office at 3800 American Boulevard West, STE 780, Bloomington, Minn., 55431.
*These dates are fluid and may change.
We appreciate your patience as we make this transition. Our commitment to serving you remains unchanged, and we're excited for the opportunities our new office will provide.
| | Construction Materials Prices Jump 0.4% in July | | |
Construction input prices increased 0.4% in July compared to the previous month, according to ABC's analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Producer Price Index data released. Nonresidential construction input prices also increased 0.4% for the month.
Overall construction input prices are 2.2% higher than a year ago, while nonresidential construction input prices are 2.6% higher. Prices increased in two of the three energy categories last month. Crude petroleum and unprocessed energy materials prices were up 1.7% and 0.5%, respectively, while natural gas prices decreased 2.1% in July.
Trade policy will likely continue to put upward pressure on materials prices over the next several months, according to Anirban Basu, ABC's chief economist.
Copper wire and cable prices, for example, surged 5% in July and are now up 12.2% over the past year.
Producer Price Index - July 2025
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While contractors remain relatively upbeat, according to ABC's Construction Confidence Index, input price escalation may diminish margins during the final months of the year.
"The rapid increase in broader producer prices in July is just as worrying as rising construction input costs," said Basu. "With prices for final demand goods and services rising at the fastest pace since March 2022, the Federal Reserve will have to consider the prospect of resurgent inflation when deciding whether or not to cut rates at its September meeting."
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A valuable benefit of an MBEX membership is invitations to our social and educational events; by being an employee of a member company, you too can take advantage and attend any and all MBEX-sponsored events.
** indicates a newly added or updated event
August 28 - Bluebeam 3: Material Takeoffs & Estimates (Advanced)
After finishing the Bluebeam Takeoffs & Estimates (Basic) course, attendees will move into creating custom columns, embedding formulas, and information organization. Register Here
August 29 - Bluebeam 4: Document Management & Best Practices
Eliminate wasted time navigating through drawing sets and wondering who has the latest drawings. Register Here
September 1 - Labor Day - MBEX Closed
MBEX will be closed on Monday, September 1 in observance of the Labor Day holiday. We'll return to regular office hours on Tuesday, September 2.
September 2 - Bluebeam 5: Collecting Field Data
This Bluebeam class was developed for design and construction professionals in both the office and jobsite looking for ways to build consistency, speed, and accuracy of data collection in creating summary reports. Register Here
September 3 - Bluebeam 6: Administrative Professionals
In just two hours, class attendees will be ready to combine documents, mark for redaction, apply digital signatures, and several other important administrative tasks. Register Here
September 4 - Bluebeam 7: Civil Workflows
Class attendees will go through not only navigation and markups, but workflows like Calibrating Plan & Profile drawings with different X-Y scales, ideas for Cut & Fill calculations, combining several PDFs into one large area map, and adding images. Register Here
September 10 - Sporting Clays North
Get yours shotguns locked and loaded. MBEX is headed north for its annual Sporting Clays North event. Whether an ace shooter or a total rookie, this will be a fun, low-pressure afternoon with colleagues and fellow industry professionals that includes a delicious BBQ buffet for dinner. Register Here
** September 25 - Online Plan Room Demo - Sign Up by 3:30pm on Wed., Sept. 24
From navigating the Deskpad, setting up filters, understanding project information, and adding your company to a project's bidders lists, this free one-hour session is a great introduction to our Online Plan Room. Register Here
** October 8 - 2025 Q3 Construction Economic Update & Forecast
Get informed on general economic conditions affecting the current construction landscape as well a construction-specific economic indicators, including the hottest regions and market sectors, the latest on materials and labor costs, and predictive indicators such as the AIA's Architecture Billings Index and ABC's Construction Confidence Index and Construction Backlog Indicator. Presented by Construction Executive with Anirban Basu, ABC's chief economist. Sign Up
** October 9 - Fall Social
Network with industry professionals, share insights, and build relationships in a relaxed and lively atmosphere at the Oak Ridge Country Club in Hopkins, Minn. Whether catching up with old friends or making new connections, this event is the perfect way to strengthen your ties within the construction community. Register Here
** October 29 - MBEX Young Professionals Network (YPN)
From college students, graduates and interns, to those just getting started within the construction industry, the MBEX Young Professionals Network creates a place for emerging young professionals ages 40 and under who are involved in the construction industry to join together at the early stages of their career to connect and begin networking. Register Here
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Five construction-related headlines you need to read over the next coffee break.
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TARIFFS
🧐 How the China Trade Truce Extension Effects the U.S. Construction Industry
President Trump announced a 90-day extension on the tariff pause affecting Chinese goods on August 11th. This prevents U.S. tariffs from rising to 54% and provides construction firms with critical procurement certainty through mid-November. The extension maintains current tariff levels at 30% while negotiations continue toward a broader trade agreement. The current tariff structure includes a 10% baseline rate with an additional 20% imposed due to fentanyl-related trade issues. (ConstructConnect News)
LEGAL MATTERS | TRADE POLICY
🧭 Navigating Disruption to Construction Projects Flowing From the America First Trade Policy
In January 2025, the Trump administration announced its intention to pursue an America First Trade Policy. Several months later it remains difficult to predict what measures will be employed to implement this policy from one week to the next, not least because some measures have been announced and then withdrawn, postponed or modified immediately after. What is clear, however, is that at least some of the materially increased U.S. tariffs and export controls and those levied in response to U.S. tariffs are already substantially affecting construction projects globally. Inside this article is a simple checklist that endeavors to provide a practical reference tool to help companies at all levels of the contractual chain for construction projects review the legal mechanisms that may be available to them to navigate the current conditions. (Construction Executive)
CONTECH | UTILITIES
⛏️ Patented Tech Aims to Pull Power Cables With 80% Less Digging
UK utility contractor JSM Group developed a patented system designed to remove decommissioned, fluid-filled underground power cables without the need for full-length trenching. Called the Non-Intrusive Cable Extraction (NICE) system, the company said it views the proprietary tech and process as a gamechanger for trenchless excavation. NICE replaces continuous open-cut excavation with a targeted "two-pit" approach. Instead of digging trenches, crews create small entry and exit pits along a straight section of cable, cap the ends to contain residual cable oil and extract the cable in a controlled pull. (Construction Briefing)
ARTIFICIAL INTELLGIENCE | PROJECT MANAGEMENT
💻 New Report Reveals Construction's Digital Gap Could Derail $4T AI Infrastructure Market
Construction firms still relying on spreadsheets and PDFs risk becoming the bottleneck in meeting explosive AI-driven infrastructure demand, according to new industry research. As tech giants prepare to spend over $300-billion this year on data centers and computing power, a new report from Revizto warns that outdated project management tools could derail the global data center construction boom. The research found that 27% of architecture, engineering and construction professionals worldwide still depend on email, spreadsheets, and PDFs as their primary digital tools. (For Construction Pros)
EV INFRASTRUCTURE
⚡ DOT Revives $5B EV Charging Program, Hands States More Control
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) revived the $5-billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) formula program, which was suspended in February, pending a review of implementation policies and funding guidance. NEVI was included in the bipartisan infrastructure law passed by Congress in 2021 and required states to develop EV charging infrastructure plans in order to access funds to install charging stations. DOT says the new guidance "simplifies" the process by minimizing state plans to statutory and regulatory requirements. (Smart Cities Dive)
| | Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame Plans $70M Facility | | |
Read more on Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal
Last week, Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame CEO Natalie Darwitz, a St. Paul native and a three-time U.S. Olympian, announced plans for a 120,000-square-foot facility during an event that also included former hockey player and broadcaster Lou Nanne, two-time Stanley Cup winner Jamie Langenbrunner, and Andrew Heydt, who worked with the Minnesota Wild and will be the hall's president.
The facility would include a 30,000-square-foot museum, a 20,000-square-foot performance hall, a hockey-themed restaurant and bar, and signature event spaces. There also would be a 2,200-seat sunken ice rink that could be used for tournaments.
Boosters hope to begin construction next year. A location wasn't announced, though a Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame was mentioned last year as part of a development near the National Sports Center in Blaine.
Per the Pioneer Press, the Hall of Fame was conceived by Consumer Science North (Bloomington) and ESG Architecture & Design (Minneapolis) is the architect on the project.
| | ABOVE PHOTO: A rendering of the planned Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame by ESG Architecture & Design. | | 2025 Supplier Diversity Expo - Build Your Grit: Fueling Small Business Resilience | Presented by University of Minnesota | | |
DATE: Tuesday, October 7
TIME: 9:00am - 3:00pm
LOCATION: St. Paul RiverCentre - 175 Kellogg Boulevard, St. Paul, Minn., 55102
COST: General Attendee Only - Free!
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Join the University of Minnesota's Office for Supplier Diversity for the 2025 Supplier Diversity Expo - Build Your Grit: Small Business Resilience, an exciting opportunity to discover, connect, and collaborate with buyers and businesses of all types.
This annual event brings together UMN staff, procurement professionals, community members, UMN partners, and a wide range of small and large businesses to build meaningful partnerships and promote equitable economic opportunity.
If you're a:
- Small Business aiming to navigate procurement processes at the U and other entities
- Prime Contractor looking to diversify and strengthen your network of trade partners
- Corporation seeking to engage new businesses in your supplier development program
...the Expo is for you! All are welcome to attend this event.
View Expo Breakout Sessions | 2025 Exhibitor Options
Contact osd@umn.edu or (612) 624-0530 with questions.
| | Benefit of the Week: Fuel Discounts with Kwik Trip | | Kwik Trip's Commercial & Fleet Cards are specifically designed to deliver big discounts to you and your business. Earn rebates and manage fuel costs down to every gallon purchased. | | |
In addition to savings, Kwik Trip's Fuel Discount programs offer access to easy-to-use expense tracking and detailed reporting to help get the most out of every mile, at no extra cost to you.
No matter the size of your business, one van or a fleet of trucks, there's a fuel management program ready to help you take control at the pump.
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Exclusively for MBEX Members, Kwik Trip's Fuel Discount program includes:
• 7-cents off per gallon of gasoline and diesel at over 750 Kwik Trip and Kwik Star locations;
• 10% off most in-store products, including car washes and auto supplies;
• Access to Kwik Trip programs, such as Data Tracker, Extended Fleet, and their Business Plus Mastercard;
• Ability to track transactions;
• Customizable card security and restrictions;
• Detailed expense reporting;
• Easy online account management; and
• Much more!
Ready to get started? Contact Noah Skifton with questions or to apply (do not apply online): (608) 351-7168 or nskifton@kwiktrip.com.
| | PROJECT INFORMATION + UPDATES | | |
• Total Projects Received at MBEX from 8/18/2025 - 8/22/2025: 81
• Total Project Leads Reported on at MBEX from 8/18/2025 - 8/22/2025: 6
• Total Active Projects Received / Reported on at MBEX as of 8/26/2025: 281
• Total New Projects in the Online Plan Room as of 8/26/2025: 3,627
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Click the button above to view the most recent project data from 8/20/2025 - 8/26/2025.
For information about the Bulletin's content, technical issues, or to place an ad (such as a Minority
Notice, Job Posting, or Event Notice), contact Ashlee, Membership + Communications Manager.
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Information within the MBEX Weekly Bulletin are obtained from sources deemed reliable. The Minnesota Builders Exchange (MBEX) does not assume responsibility for its completeness or accuracy. You are urged to check your own sources in addition to the information contained in this publication. This issue contains plans and other bidding information received prior to and including the date noted above. The project data within this newsletter is intended for member company's and their employees use only.
2025 BOARD OFFICERS: President - Heidi Sedlacek, KLJ Engineering; Vice President - Brian Kalla, St. Cloud Acoustics; Treasurer - Sean Ochis, Northern Industrial Insulation; Past President - Mike Carlson, Max Gray Construction
2025 DIRECTORS: Kevin Bohrer, Donlar Construction; Ben Bowman, Adolfson & Peterson; Allie Brady, Veit; David Brandt, Schadegg Mechanical; Amanda Eiynk, BUILD Renewables; Matt Lennartson, RJM Construction; Chris Niemand, Frattalone Companies; Jason Rentmeester, Kraus-Anderson Construction; and Nate Sapik, Benson Electric Company
MBEX STAFF: David Siegel - Executive Director; Julie Miller - Executive Assistant/Project Coordinator/Accounting; Ashlee Hartwig - Membership & Communications Manager; Melanie Hendrickson - Events & Membership Coordinator; Jeff Boelter - Project Acquisition & Plan Room Support; Shauna Baska - Project Reporter & Bidders Lists; Ka Yang - Addenda & Apparent Lows; Peggy Esboldt, Madison Gentil & Michelle Siegel - Project Reporters; Don O'Connor - Independent Event Planning Contractor
You are receiving this email because you are employed by a current member company in good standing or have indicated you wanted to receive MBEX's Weekly Bulletin. Unsubscribe from the Weekly Bulletin
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